Little new information was available Friday in what appeared to have been an attempted murder-suicide near Frenchtown on Thursday afternoon.

Ron Newman, 67, was in critical condition after he was taken to St. Patrick Hospital by Life Flight on Thursday afternoon, but hospital officials were unable to release any information about his condition Friday. Under new federal rules outlined by the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act, his family requested that all medical information remain private. The hospital faces stiff fines if it does not follow the family's request.

Newman's 51-year-old wife, Cathy, was found dead in the couple's home Thursday afternoon. The State Crime Lab is conducting an autopsy.

Missoula County Sheriff Mike McMeekin said Thursday that both Ron and Cathy Newman had been shot, and deputies found a .38 caliber revolver in the home. One of three family dogs had also been shot to death.

A full search of the home was completed Thursday night, McMeekin said, but the results of that search are not yet public. The search request -- including an affidavit listing a possible motive Ron Newman may have had for shooting his wife, himself and the dog -- also remained sealed Friday afternoon.

The sheriff said Thursday that Newman could face criminal charges if he survives his wounds.

In addition, McMeekin said he was working with the county attorney's office on Friday to determine if there is a legal way to require the hospital to provide Newman's medical condition to either a law enforcement officer or Deputy County Attorney Karen Townsend. Under HIPAA, the hospital is not allowed to release that information to anyone.

Ron Newman called 9-1-1 just before noon on Thursday to report he had shot and killed his wife and planned to kill himself. Sheriff's deputies kept the phone line open and could hear movement inside the house, but Newman did not respond, McMeekin said. Deputies surrounded the house, and after trying to reach Newman for about three hours, the sheriff sent in a tactical team with a medical unit. The Life Flight helicopter arrived just minutes later.